Police: Drunk driver hit Fort Bragg soldier, baby

Fayetteville, N.C. — Fayetteville police said a drunk driver caused a wreck that sent three people, including a Fort Bragg soldier and a baby, to the hospital.

The wreck happened on Ramsey Street, near the intersection of Stacy Weaver Drive, at about 11:30 p.m. Thursday, police Sgt. A. Ellis said.

Officers said Bobby Burnette, 31, crossed the median in a red Mustang and hit a yellow Neon head on. Police said they were unable to provide an address for Burnette.

Emergency crews took the driver of the Neon, Joseph Randle, 24, and his 8-month-old son to Cape Fear Valley Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Randle is a Fort Bragg soldier, authorities said.

A helicopter airlifted Burnette to UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill, but the extent of his injuries was unknown.

Officers said they had received calls about Burnette’s erratic driving, but his car crashed into Randle’s car before they could get to him to stop him, they said.

Police charged Burnette with DWI and careless and reckless driving.

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Latest Comments

Let's all calm down. Let's all agree that the drunk driving laws need to be revamped and sentencing should be more severe especially with vehicular manslaughter. Actually I have seen cases where since the driver was drunk he/she got off easier than if the person was sober and if the person they hit had an ounce of alcohol or a small fraction of marijuana in his/her system then the perpetrator would have to pay no restitution at all and the insurance company wouldn't pay the family one red cent. Now that is obsurd. Comments welcome.

iamforjustice
June 13, 2008 5:52 p.m.

Whocares>>>>> No offence but when you are in the military and all the sudden you are told that you need to work the evening shift. Some child care centers are not open late and if your hometown is far away and you have no family member near by, you don't have a choice but to ask a coworker to watch over your kid. Sometimes there are not other options just ask me.

DominicanNC
June 13, 2008 5:43 p.m.

DR. DATACLERK.... SORRY, SUGAR YOU AIN'T HIT NO NERVE HERE. I see that several people bashed you for your comments, i'm not going to bash you, because that's exactly what you're on here trying to do, stir up mess!

justbnme
June 13, 2008 3:53 p.m.

Life time revocation of licenses and mandatory 1 year in jail seems very appropriate

WRALSPORTSFANSUXS
June 13, 2008 3:32 p.m.

canes06, did you ever stop and think that possibly, he was coming home from work? Some people work 2nd shift and pick up their children from daycare at that time. He could possibly have been on the way to the doctor with a sick baby. Infants get sick in the middle of the night. He could have been very fussy and a car ride was calming him down. They could have been visiting Grandma. Any number of things ...it's not the man's fault a drunk driver hit him

NCMOMof3
June 13, 2008 2:20 p.m.